The research lines proposed for the PhD Program in Earth Sciences at the University of Milan (Cycle 41 – 2025) cover a wide and innovative spectrum of topics in the geosciences. These include paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic reconstructions based on calcareous nannofossils, geoconservation of sensitive landscapes using digital technologies, and hydrological investigations in mountain regions with a focus on glaciers, permafrost, and groundwater recharge under changing climate conditions. Other lines explore extreme weather events in the Mediterranean and their impacts, the design and modeling of engineered geostructures for energy production and thermal storage, and high-resolution paleomagnetic and stratigraphic studies of major climatic transitions such as the Carnian Pluvial Episode. The approaches are interdisciplinary, combining fieldwork, numerical modeling, laboratory analyses, and data integration, supported by strong national and international collaborations. These research lines provide access to cutting-edge facilities and promote advanced training toward careers in research, resource management, and scientific outreach in both academic and applied settings.
A complete list of the research lines is provided in the attached table. Each entry includes a direct link to a detailed PDF presentation of the proposed research project.
| Proponent (name and email) | Title of Research Line | Scientific Sector | PhD Curriculum | Extended description with candidate prerequisites |
| Manuel Roda | Deciphering the litho-structural continuity and Permian evolution of Adria’s deep crust across the Alps | 04/A2 – Geologia Strutturale, Geologia Stratigrafica, Sedimentologia e Paleontologia | Earth System: Processes and Modeling | Extended description |
| Federico Farina | From shallow level granites to eruptions: a journey into the lifetime of magma reservoirs | 04/A1 – Geochimica, Mineralogia, Petrologia, Vulcanologia, Georisorse ed Applicazioni | Georesources | Extended description |
| Irene M. Bollati | Digital tools and applications for monitoring, mapping, conservation and promotion of the geomorphological heritage in sensitive environments | 04/A3 – Geologia Applicata, Geografia Fisica e Geomorfologia | Georesources | Extended description |
| Francesco Cecinato | Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Innovative Energy Geostructures | CEAR-05/A – Geotecnica | Georesources | Extended description |
| Gianluca Fiandaca | Modelling of electromagnetic effects in galvanic induced polarization data | 04/A4-GEO/11 – Geofisica applicata | Georesources | Extended description |
| Paola Tartarotti | Tectono-metamorphic evolution and geochronology of Variscan remnants recorded in the Tambo and Suretta nappes as a key to unravel the pre-Alpine and Alpine history of the Central Alps | 04/A2 – Geologia Strutturale, Geologia Stratigrafica, Sedimentologia e Paleontologia | Earth System: Processes and Modeling | Extended description |
| Nicoletta Marinoni | Mineralogical Insights into Astrobiology on Mars | 04/A1 – Geochimica, Mineralogia, Petrologia, Vulcanologia, Georisorse ed Applicazioni | Earth System: Processes and Modeling | Extended description |
| Paolo Lotti | Zeolite-fluid interactions in the early stages of subduction | 04/A1 – Geochimica, Mineralogia, Petrologia, Vulcanologia, Georisorse ed Applicazioni | Georesources | Extended description |
| Fabrizio Felletti | THE TACHRIFT PROJECT: Investigating Turbidites from Source to Seafloor | 04/A2 – Geologia Strutturale, Geologia Stratigrafica, Sedimentologia e Paleontologia | Georesources | Extended description |
| Andrea Zerboni | Human impact on landscapes since Prehistory | 04/A3 – Geologia Applicata, Geografia Fisica e Geomorfologia | Georesources | Extended description |
| Davide Zanoni | Pre- and syn-orogenic evolution of Tethyan ophiolite units of the Alps | 04/A2 – Geologia Strutturale, Geologia Stratigrafica, Sedimentologia e Paleontologia | Earth System: Processes and Modeling | Extended description |
| Daniele Pedretti | Hydrogen injection and chaotic mixing to boost aquifer bioremediation | 04/A3 – Geologia Applicata, Geografia Fisica e Geomorfologia | Georesources | Extended description |
| Patrizia Fumagalli | Mobility of molecular hydrogen in the Earth’s interior | 04/A1 – Geochimica, Mineralogia, Petrologia, Vulcanologia, Georisorse ed Applicazioni | Earth System: Processes and Modeling | Extended description |
| Edoardo Dallanave | Time and space constraints of the Carnian Pluvial Episode (~234–232 Ma) in the northwestern Tehyan margin | 04/A2 – Geologia Strutturale, Geologia Stratigrafica, Sedimentologia e Paleontologia | Earth System: Processes and Modeling | Extended description |
| Marco Merlini | Advancing Mineralogical Approaches to the Study of Prehistoric Ceramics and Related Artifacts | 04/A1 – Geochimica, Mineralogia, Petrologia, Vulcanologia, Georisorse ed Applicazioni | Georesources | Extended description |
| Silvio Davolio | Extreme meteorological events in the Mediterranean: from the atmosphere to impacts at the ground | 04/A4 – Geofisica | Earth System: Processes and Modeling | Extended description |
| Berra Fabrizio | Stasis and changes in sedimentary successions: investigating the causes of rapid facies shifts in the stratigraphic record | 04/A2 – Geologia Strutturale, Geologia Stratigrafica, Sedimentologia e Paleontologia | Earth System: Processes and Modeling | Extended description |
| Corrado Camera | Quantifying the contribution of glaciers and periglacial system in the mountain water cycle, with focus on groundwater recharge | 04/A3 – Geologia Applicata, Geografia Fisica e Geomorfologia | Earth System: Processes and Modeling | Extended description |
| Roberto Sergio Azzoni | High Mountain Geomorphology: Deglaciation Processes and interaction with human impact | 04/A3 – Geologia Applicata, Geografia Fisica e Geomorfologia | Earth System: Processes and Modeling | Extended description |
| Luca Mortarini | Cold Pool Turbulence at low latitudes | 04/A4 – Geofisica | Earth System: Processes and Modeling | Extended description |
| Maria Rose Petrizzo | Precision and accuracy of Late Cretaceous integrated bio- magnetostratigraphy and implications for biogeographic distribution of planktonic foraminifera from low to high latitudes | 04/A2 – Geologia Strutturale, Geologia Stratigrafica, Sedimentologia e Paleontologia | Earth System: Processes and Modeling | Extended description |
| Mauro Giudici | Heterogeneous systems and non-linear processes: characterization of heterogeneity and its effects on flow and transport processes | 04/A4 – Geofisica | Georesources | Extended description |
| Giovanni Grieco | Innovative strategies for Critical Raw Material Act dissemination | 04/A1 – Geochimica, Mineralogia, Petrologia, Vulcanologia, Georisorse ed Applicazioni | Georesources | Extended description |
| Massimo Tiepolo | Understanding the secular Earth’s mantle geochemical evolution | 04/A1 – Geochimica, Mineralogia, Petrologia, Vulcanologia, Georisorse ed Applicazioni | Earth System: Processes and Modeling | Extended description |
| Marco Balini | Triassic ammonoids and pelagic bivalves as tool for high resolution Chronostratigraphy and Integrated stratigraphy | 04/A2 – Geologia Strutturale, Geologia Stratigrafica, Sedimentologia e Paleontologia | Earth System: Processes and Modeling | Extended description |
| Cinzia Bottini | Cretaceous calcareous nannofossil biogeography: paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic implications | 04/A2 – Geologia Strutturale, Geologia Stratigrafica, Sedimentologia e Paleontologia | Earth System: Processes and Modeling | Extended description |
| Elisabetta Erba | Nannolithoforid evolution and calcification: implication for ocean chemistry and CO2 absorption. | 04/A2 – Geologia Strutturale, Geologia Stratigrafica, Sedimentologia e Paleontologia | Georesources | Extended description |
| Marta Gasparrini | Reconstruction of thermal history and paleo-fluid circulations in the Geneva sedimentary basin to support geothermal exploration | 04/A2 – Geologia Strutturale, Geologia Stratigrafica, Sedimentologia e Paleontologia | Georesources | Extended description |
| Marco Masetti | Using rice fields as Green-Blue infrastructure for groundwater management | 04/A3 – Geologia Applicata, Geografia Fisica e Geomorfologia | Georesources | Extended description |